OPEN ANGLE GLAUCOMA

[Rhussen]

Hi was diagnosed with a suspected open angle glaucoma on the 9th of December. My eye pressure of the right eye was 58 and the left was 36 .laser was done and prescribed pilo and timolol for the right eye only. Went back to the hospital the following week the IOP was 26 right eye and 36 for the left eye that was 14th Dec. Prescribed Ganfot one drop a day for both eyes.after 6 weeks went back to the hospital checked my IOP the right eye 14 and 13 left .The doctor told the back of the eyes looks good .told me to continue using the ganfot until April.

My question is if the pressure continues to gets lower than 10 will it not be a problem. I need some clarity .Sorry for my poor grammar.

[Rachel_GlaucomaUK Partner]

Hi Rhussen , thanks so much for your message. A member of our helpline team will be in touch shortly with information about eye pressures. Best wishes, Rachel

[Timothy_GlaucomaUK]

Hi Rhussen,

Thank you for your question.

The range of eye pressure found in most people is between 10-21 mm Hg (millimetres of mercury). The eye can generally still work at pressures lower than 10 mm Hg, though the risk of being affected by the low pressure increases the lower the pressure.

What pressure is right for your eye varies significantly among different individuals. When the eye pressure is too low, it is like a ball that is low on air and part of the ball can begin to collapse. Some individuals may be ok with a pressure of 2 mm Hg.

From what you say, it sounds like you were put on Ganfort on the 14 December. The hospital then saw you 6 weeks later. They found that your pressures were 14 mm Hg and 13 mm Hg and did not change the drops. So it sounds like the Ganfort is successful in bringing down the pressures from 26 mm Hg and 36 mm Hg. The way that most glaucoma drugs work is that they bring the pressure down while you are on them, rather than bringing them down the longer that you are on them. If you continue to take Ganfort, it does not necessarily mean that your pressures will continue to drop from 14 mm Hg and 13 mmHg.

Please let me know if the above is not clear.

Many thanks,

Timothy